title: Microsomal delta 9, delta 6 and delta 5 desaturase activities and liver membrane fatty acid profiles in alcohol-fed rats.
abstract: In experimentally produced alcoholic fatty liver microsomal fatty acid composition was measured using gas chromatography. The results showed an increase in linoleic acid (18:2, n-6) and hexadecaenoic acid (22:6, n-3) and a decrease in arachidonic acid (20:4, n-6) in alcohol-fed rats. Using high performance liquid chromatographic separation of radiolabelled substrate and products, delta 9, delta 6 and delta 5 desaturase enzymes were assayed. The activity of delta 9 and delta 5 desaturase was decreased in alcohol-fed rats and delta 6 desaturase activity was similar in control and alcohol-fed groups. These results indicated there was no causal relationship between desaturase activity and membrane fatty acid changes. Increased amounts of eicosatrienoic acid (20:3, n-9) in rats fed less than 5% fat were observed in both control and alcohol-fed rats. The results indicated that essential fatty acid deficiency was not due to alcohol consumption.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Sciences and Clinical Cell Biology, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venkatesan
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rideout
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D000090943:Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D050602:Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase
chemical_list: D000090943:Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; D005227:Fatty Acids; D000431:Ethanol; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase; D050602:Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase; C029627:delta-9 fatty acid desaturase